Job satisfaction in Poland remains high, but the other side of the labor market is becoming more and more visible: the growing burden of responsibilities. The latest report “Labor Market Barometer 2026” prepared by Gi Group Holding shows that although over 70 percent employees evaluate their employment positively, as many as 42 percent it speaks directly about overload.
In 2026, already 70.9 percent. working Poles declare job satisfaction. This is more than in the two previous years (68% in 2024 and 2025). At the same time, the percentage of dissatisfied people decreased significantly – from 13.1%. up to 9.7 percent
However, at the detailed level there are differences:
- men (73%) are more often satisfied than women (69%),
- the highest rates are recorded by the youngest (77.3%) and oldest employees (77.8%),
- People of working age aged 25-54, who dominated the satisfaction statistics a year ago, fare worse.
In terms of industry, the best results are trade, services and the public sector (over 70 percent of responses). Production and transport and logistics are slightly lower, although still at a relatively high level (approx. 66-67%).
— The increase in job satisfaction is particularly visible in the service and manufacturing industries, although in the latter the percentage of strongly positive ratings has decreased. Trade is stable, but the mood is deteriorating in transport, logistics and the public sector – comments Grzegorz Gojny, operational director of Gi Group Holding.
Satisfaction is also strongly influenced by position and salary. As many as 82.6% of managers declare a positive evaluation of their work. respondents, and among specialists – 73 percent Lower-level employees fare the worst, although improvement can also be seen here.
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It's no surprise that satisfaction increases with salary. People earning over PLN 5,000 assess their situation best. PLN gross, and the record range is PLN 7-10 thousand. PLN (over 80 percent of responses).
Grzegorz Gojny believes that this is the result of several factors: an increase in salaries, greater attention of companies to the well-being of employees and the opportunities for development and promotion.
— The caution of companies in increasing employment in an uncertain economic environment is important, adds the expert.
We are satisfied, but also overloaded with work
At the same time, however, the pressure is growing. Already 42 percent employees talk about being overloaded with responsibilities, and almost half of the respondents (48.3%) do not notice this problem in themselves.
The feeling of overload increases with the position held – it is reported by 47.8 percent. managers and 45.9 percent older specialists, while among blue-collar workers this percentage is 38%. A similar relationship can be seen in the case of earnings – the higher the salary, the more often there is a feeling of overload.
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The sectors most affected by overload are the transport and logistics industries (59 percent of responses), the public sector (46.3 percent) and trade (45.5 percent).
The key factor turns out to be the increase in expectations regarding the pace and efficiency of work. In the group that notices such changes, as many as 66 percent employees declare overload. Among those who did not feel them – only 23.6 percent.
— Fatigue and stress are clear signals of problems with work organization. Many companies today operate under constant pressure, which helps maintain results in the short term, but in the long term leads to decreased efficiency and increased turnover. Better work planning and quick response to signs of overload are necessary, emphasizes Ewa Michalska, operational director of Grafton Recruitment.
Effects of overload: stress, turnover, loss of efficiency
The most frequently indicated consequences of overload are increased stress and fatigue, as well as difficulties in maintaining work-life balance. In addition, there are hard operational effects: a decrease in efficiency, a greater number of errors and a deterioration in the quality of work.
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— The ability to manage priorities and reduce parallel processes that increase operational pressure is becoming increasingly important. The quality of work organization and leadership style may be crucial to maintaining the commitment and stability of teams – sums up Paweł Prociak, managing director of Wyser Executive Search.
“Labor Market Barometer 2026” is the 20th anniversary edition of the Gi Group Holding report, based on research conducted by SW Research. Surveys among employers were carried out using the CATI method between February 25 and March 9, 2026, and employees were surveyed online (CAWI) between February 23 and March 3, 2026. The partners of the publication are the Federation of Polish Entrepreneurs, the Polish HR Forum and the Lewiatan Confederation.
